LINCOLN -- It will take political will and farming skill for the world to solve its coming problems with food security and climate change, a world-reknowned agricultural researcher said Monday during the first Heuermann Lecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Plant geneticist M.S. Swaminathan has been called the father of India's Green Revolution for his role in introducing high-yielding wheat and rice varieties that helped that nation meet its people's demand for grain.
But, he said, the Green Revolution from 1960 to 1982 would not have succeeded without the backing of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the work of farmers to grow the new crops.
The next stage will require more than improvement in plant genetics. Swaminathan called for an "Ever-Green Revolution," in which farmers avoid over-reliance on pesticides and chemicals, reduce carbon emissions and better manage water and soil.
"The Ever-Green Revolution is about increasing productivity in perpetuity, without associated ecological harm," he said.
The 400-capacity auditorium in Hardin Hall was filled with students, faculty and others attending Swaminathan's speech. At its close, Ronnie Green, NU's vice president of Agriculture and Natural Resources, presented Swaminathan with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Willa Cather Medal, in recognition of Swaminathan's service to humanity.
His appearance came at the invitation of NU President J.B. Milliken and the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute. Swaminathan is a long-time friend of Roberto Lenton, a World Bank official and native of Argentina, who was selected in August to become the first director of the Daugherty Institute.
“Dr. Swaminathan is a great man who has had a remarkable career and enjoys a tremendous reputation around the world,” said Milliken, who earlier this year co-hosted a symposium on agricultural water management with Swaminathan in Chennai, India.
“He is one of the giants of sustainable agriculture and rural development and has been a great partner with the University of Nebraska and the Daugherty Water for Food Institute.”
Swaminathan is credited with helping India move from having the world's largest food deficit to producing enough grain to feed all its people.
Swaminathan is the first speaker in the lecture series at UNL named in honor of B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, Neb., whose gift established the series. The Heuermanns are long-time supporters of NU with a strong commitment toward production agriculture, natural resources and rural communities.
Swaminathan is an advocate for sustainable agriculture, to establish what's been dubbed an “ever-green revolution,” and a supporter of women in agriculture. He also serves in India's Parliament.
Ronnie D. Green, NU's vice president for agriculture and vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said Swaminathan's visit is part of NU's effort to establish itself as a leader in the international effort to answer the food challenges presented by climate change and an exploding world population.
“Predictions are that in the next 40 years, the world's population will require a doubling of food production globally,” Green said. “How we'll produce that increased food supply affects everyone. People need sound information to make thoughtful, well-informed decisions on what they'll support and why.”
The Heuermann Lectures will continue monthly through the school year. The next speaker will be Stephen Baenziger, an internationally recognized wheat researcher based at UNL.
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